The 2nd SKILLBILL Heat Working Group, facilitated by Q-PLAN and led by Lighthouse Expert Daniele Groppi, recently gathered to discuss the necessary regulatory shifts to foster a supportive environment for sustainable mobility. The focus was on identifying the changes needed to create favourable conditions for sustainable mobility and exploring existing EU and national initiatives aimed at developing renewable energy skills, including funding opportunities like the Just Transition Fund. Participants explored regulatory adjustments required to facilitate the widespread adoption of sustainable mobility technologies and practices, ensuring that the regulatory framework is both supportive and adaptable.
A structured approach was followed for this meeting, including steps such as identifying regulatory shifts, detailing these shifts, discussing recommendations, prioritizing them using collaborative tools like Miro and finalising the recommendations. Key activities included brainstorming sessions, knowledge exchange, and co-creation of recommendations, ensuring a holistic approach toward sustainable mobility.
The first results of this discussion were several impactful recommendations. Primary recommendations focused on enhancing EU funding for industry and academia collaboration and highlighting the importance of waste heat recovery through more case studies and pilot projects. Secondary recommendations included stimulating the introduction of the Renewable Heating Community in laws and regulations and providing tax incentives for companies supporting industrial PhD programs. Other recommendations emphasized the need for incentives for skilled workers, including the private sector in educational boards and supporting organizations that mediate between industry and academia.
Key insights from the discussions underscored the importance of monitoring waste heat and emphasized collaborations between industries and educational institutions to develop relevant courses. The concept of a Renewable Heating Community was proposed to be included in laws and regulations, along with mandatory lifelong learning programs and making certification for vocational education and training (VET) courses more accessible.
The meeting concluded positively, with active participation and enthusiastic discussions among members. The collaborative environment successfully generated actionable insights for regulatory shifts in sustainable mobility, demonstrating a strong sense of cooperation and commitment from all participants.
